Kasan-Sai Reservoir, reservoir in Kyrgyzstan
The Kasan-Sai Reservoir is located in the Jalal-Abad region near the border with Uzbekistan and covers about 8 square kilometers. It holds around 165 million cubic meters of water that primarily irrigates the surrounding farmland.
The reservoir was constructed between 1941 and 1948 to manage water from the Kasai-Sai River for irrigation and supply purposes during the Soviet period. After the Soviet Union dissolved, it became a point of negotiation over water rights between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
The reservoir is also known as Orto-Tokoi or Orto-Tokoy, names that reflect local languages and regional history. These different names show how the place connects to the communities who have lived and worked here for decades.
The site is best visited on clear days when the calm water surface reflects the sky nicely. Visitors should know that the area may have certain restrictions due to its proximity to the border and should check conditions before going.
Although the reservoir sits on Kyrgyz territory, Uzbekistan uses about 90 percent of its water under a 2017 agreement between the two countries. This arrangement shows how neighboring nations manage shared water resources at their borders.
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